College Football Picks-Thanksgiving/Rivalry Week

I am going to be on a trip to the Land of Okies beginning Wednesday, and will not have access to a computer until Sunday. Therefore, I will be posting picks and comments today. Games begin Thursday, so it’s not too early.

With the addition of the 12th game, there are plenty of games to pick this week. Lots of teams are still playing.

Last Week: 15-5 Overall: 167-73

Oklahoma at Oklahoma State: The Bedlam Series, or the Aggie Super Bowl. OSU could go 1-11, but if they beat OU, their season is considered a success. Playing OSU in Stillwater is never an easy task for any OU team, no matter how good they are. This year, the Sooners have had injury problems at running back, and may be playing a third-string RB again this week. Nonetheless, the defense has been improving. OSU has been scoring a lot of points, but their defense has been suspect. This will be a tight game. OU wins. Pick: OU
Texas A&M at Texas: Coach Fran appears to have saved his job, but is winless against OU and Texas. The Horns will have Colt McCoy back at quarterback. The Ags still have a talent deficit against the Horns, as well as a coaching deficit. This game is in Austin. Every Sooner will be cheering for the Aggies, but that won’t matter. Texas wins, and it might not be close. Pick: UT
Kansas at Missouri: KU needs a win to nail down a bowl bid. Mizzou, after coach Gary Pinkel received a three-year extension, went on the road and laid an egg against last-place Iowa State. This one is really hard to figure. Mizzou is at home. Pick: Misery
Colorado at Nebraska: It’s been a long year for the Buffs. Nebraska is taking the next step in the rebuilding of their program, by qualifying for next week’s Big XII championship game. This might get ugly, and lots of people will be switching their TVs over to the other game on CBS. Pick: Nebraska
LSU vs. Arkansas at Little Rock: What was once a CBS Black Friday time-filler is now loaded with post-season implications. Arkansas has clinched the Western Division of the SEC, and is having a magical season. The winner of this game has a very good chance to make it to a BCS bowl as an at-large team. The magic carpet ride continues for the Hogs, for at least one more week. Pick: Arkansas
Florida at Florida State: The Seminoles are a dying, withering program. The Gators have a lot to play for, with a chance for a BCS bowl and possibly more. I see no way FSU keeps this close, even at home. The Gators laugh all the way to the bank. Pick: UF
Boston College at Miami: The Larry Coker death watch ends after this game, as the Canes mercifully pull the plug on him. BC is simply better than Miami. Miami finishes with a losing season. Pick: BC
Georgia Tech at Georgia: Tech has won the Coastal division of the ACC, and will be in the ACC championship game next week. Georgia has had an up and down season. Which Bulldog team shows up-the one that played Kentucky, or the one that played Auburn? My guess is the latter. Bulldogs win between the hedges. Pick: UGa
Virginia at Virginia Tech: The Wahoos have had a disappointing season. The Hokies last week scored their biggest win of the year by pounding Wake Forest, 27-6. This one is in Blacksburg, and the Hokies get their 10th win. Pick: VT
South Carolina at Clemson: Steve Spurrier has spent the last week denying his interest in the Miami job. He says he came to SC to do things no one believes can be done, such as win championships. He does have them bowl eligible, but another important thing in Gamecockland is to beat hated Clemson, and to beat them consistently. This is easier said than done. The Taters have some disappointing losses, but still have a better team than SC. Pick: Climpson
North Carolina at Duke: Awesome basketball game, Suck Bowl in football. Duke needs to give up football. However, they need a football team to stay in the ACC. Carolina is preparing for the Butch Davis era, and got a win last week over their other rival, N.C. State. Carolina sends John Bunting out with a two-game winning streak. Pick: UNC
Oregon at Oregon State: Ducks have been very disappointing after their pseudo-win over Oklahoma. The Beavers have an upset win over USC under their belt. The Beavers have the momentum and the home field. Pick: OSU-West
Kentucky at Tennessee: This one used to be for a barrel of bourbon, until a rash of drunk driving accidents in the late 90’s forced the presidents of the schools to drop this tradition. Tennessee had a tradition of beating Kentucky consistently until last year. The Cats barely achieved bowl eligibility last week by holding off Louisiana-Monroe, 42-40. They won’t get that lucky this week. Pick: Vols
Mississippi State at Ole Miss: The Bulldogs have been improving recently. Ole Miss led LSU for the entire game last week, but tanked at the end and allowed LSU to escape with an overtime win. This will be a competitive game. Pick: Ole Miss
BYU at Utah: BYU is on top of their conference for the first time in several years. It doesn’t matter, though, when they play the Utes. Still, BYU has a better team. Pick: the Y
Boise State at Nevada: Huge game with BCS implications. A Boise State win keeps them in the top 12 and gives them a BCS bowl bid, most likely in the Fiesta Bowl. Nevada could do major conference schools a huge favor with a win. This is an ambush waiting to happen. Pick: Nevada
Notre Dame at USC: Major BCS implications in this game. Notre Dame can spoil USC’s season with a win. USC has clinched at least a bid to the Rose Bowl, and can help themselves in the BCS computers with a win. Notre Dame will probably still make a BCS bowl with a loss, but would be hard-pressed to pass Michigan with a win. USC is just a little better than the Domers, especially in SoCal. Pick: USC
Wake Forest at Maryland: The Atlantic Division title is on the line, with a spot in the ACC championship game. Both teams are reeling. Wake Forest got pounded last week by the Hokies. Maryland gave up touchdowns on three turnovers last week in a shellacking by Boston College. What gives? I’m afraid the dream season for Wake Forest turns into a nightmare. Pick: Terps
Arizona State at Arizona: The Wildcats are on a major roll, with big wins over Cal and Arizona in the last two weeks. The Sun Devils may be playing for coach Dirk Koetter’s job. When in doubt, go with the hot team. Pick: Arizona
TCU at Colorado State: TCU continues to roll through the rest of the Mountain West, after early losses to BYU and Utah. Rams coach Sonny Lubick is rumored to be retiring, and this could be his last game. Pick: TCU